Tanaka pitched in his 22nd game of the season Friday night against the Orix Buffaloes to somewhat mixed results. His performance was no doubt very solid, but unlike his other starts, the offense just couldn't get things going for him -- he left the game with the score tied 1-1.

Rakuten actually had a chance to win the game after scoring a tie breaking run in the top of the 10th. But the Buffaloes wouldn't have any of it as Greg LaRocca hit a game-winning 2-run homer off Kouki Watanabe after he walked the lead-off hitter to start the frame.

The one-run that Tanaka surrendered came in the bottom of the second after registering the first out of the inning on a strikeout. He gave up 3 consecutive singles and then got the final two outs of the inning on a strike-out-throw-out at second.